Words with Lost Meanings

Words with Lost Meanings
Some words just don't mean what they used to...
man wearing belt
Succinct
Definition - being girded (“encircled with a band, such as a belt”)

Succinct is not one of the words most in use today, but it does come up from time to time; when encountered it typically has the meaning of “marked by compact precise expression without wasted words.” When it first came into English, in the 15th century, it was with the “girded” meaning. Although this meaning is now quite obsolete, it is not surprising that it was the first one attached to succinct, which may be traced to the Latin cingere (“to gird”), which has also served as the root of cinch and discinct (“loosely dressed”).

In curles on either cheek plaid, wings he wore
Of many a colourd plume sprinkl'd with Gold,
His habit fit for speed succinct, and held
Before his decent steps a Silver wand.
— John Milton, Paradise Lost, 1674


image1071832901
Flagrant
Definition - fiery hot; burning

A flagrant foul in a sport involves no flame or literal heat, but instead exhibits the modern sense of the word, which is “conspicuously offensive.” Flagrant comes from the Latin flagrare (“to burn”). Some of the other words in English which share this root have retained some of their “fiery” meanings (such as conflagration, while others, such as in flagrante delicto (which comes from the Latin expression meaning “while the crime is burning”), have not.

And elsewhere, unity begets unity, and reflecteth his flagrant love on himself.
— Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim, Three Books of Occult Philosophy (trans. by J. F.), 1651


image1941463800
Absurdity
Definition - (music) something that is inharmonious, untuneful

We now think of an absurdity as “something that is ridiculously unreasonable, unsound, or incongruous,” such as paying off one’s student loans within ten years, or the reasoning behind an insurance company’s decision about paying for coverage. Yet before it got responsible and settled down with a nice stable meaning, absurdity thought it would be cool to have a career in music (its Latin root absurdit;s once meant “dissonance”). The music thing just didn’t work out for absurdity, and by the early 16th century it had moved on to the meaning it holds today.

It is graunted by the last solution, that the flat so comming should alter the vt, but to alter the vt, doth alter the key (which is in musick a great absurditie) therefore by the last solution, there is a great absurditie graunted.
— William Bathe, A briefe introduction to the skill of song, 1596

image1716945309
Stomach
Definition - to take offense at

While it has not quite become a Janus word or contronym (both of which refer to words whose meanings are contradictory), stomach is certainly moving in that direction. It holds the incongruous meanings of “to put up with” and “to take offense at,” although the latter of these is now quite rare.

Some anger is not only grief for the opposition that persons meet with, but a kind of stomacking at God who permits them to be opposed or crossed, and tho' they do not confess it to be so, yet the spirit of God knows it to be so.
— B. D., The honourable state of matrimony made comfortable, 1685

image1643010215
Conceited
Definition - ingeniously contrived or designed

A conceit once had the meaning “something that results from mental activity,” and the adjectival form of conceited shares semantic overlap with this. A conceit could also refer to specific literary elements, such as “an elaborate metaphor,” and in some cases the early uses of conceited had meanings which related to this (such as “having or exhibiting a literary style marked by conceits” or “consisting of or constructed upon or around a conceit”).

This New conceited Book will move Delights,
And serve to passe away some dolesome dayes,
Also the tedious melancholy nights,
For in the same is many a pretty phrase.
No harm at all is in't but mirth and joy,
Then buy it first, then bear't with you away.
— L. P., A new dialogue between Dick of Kent, and Wat the Welch-man, 1654

couple setting up for dinner party photo
Entertainer
Definition - host; one who entertains guests

It seems fairly obvious that an entertainer should be someone who entertains guests, much as a secretary was once the word for someone who kept secrets. However, this xenial sense of the word has largely been replaced with “one who entertains professionally.”

And (standing neere Eumaeus) this enquir'd.
What Guest is this, that makes our house of late
His entertainer? whence claimes he the state
His birth in this life holds? what Nation?
— Homer, Homer’s Odysses (trans. by G. Chapman), 1615

image1144623242
Hazard
Definition - a game of chance like craps played with two dice

Well before hazard was applied to an obstacle in golf it was applied to a game of a much different character. The word came into English from the French hansard, which was likely borrowed from the Arabic as-zahr, meaning “the dice,” or “one of the dice.” In modern use hazard most often means “a source of danger” or “chance, risk.”

Warmley stated at the station-house that he had been playing “hazard” at Menshaw’s, and after he had lost his small change he had a dollar note changed by Menshaw.
— The Sun (Baltimore, MD), 16 Jun. 1896

swear jar photo
Petulant
Definition - wanton or immodest in speech or behavior

Petulant may have changed its meaning over the years, but it has retained its status as ‘word most people would not use to describe themselves in a job interview’ (the current meanings are “insolent or rude in speech or behavior” and “characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor”).

'Till Noon you lie a Bed hatching Concupiscence, then having paid your Adorations, to the Ugly Idol in the Glass, you descend to Dinner, where you gormondize enough at one Meal to Famish a Town Besiedg'd; after that, you are call'd out by a Cozen, and hurried out in his Honours Coach (whose jogging, serves as a Preparative to your Letchery) away to the Play-house, where a Lascivious Dance, a Bawdy Song, and the  Petulant Gallants Tickling of your hand, having made an Insurrection in your Blood, you go to Allay it with an Evenings Exercise at the Tavern, there you spend freely, yet being Rob'd of nothing we can miss, home you come in a Railing humour, and at last give us nothing for Supper but a Butter'd Bun.
— Anon., The Mens answer to the womens petition against coffee vindicating their own performances and the virtues of that liquor from the undeserved aspersions lately cast upon them by their scandalous pamphlet, 1674


'Handsome,' 'Geek,' and 8 More Words That Changed Their Meanings
Language evolves
brutalize
The earliest use of 'brute' in English was as an adjective meaning “of, relating to, or typical of animals, brutes, or beasts; not possessed of human rational powers.”
Brutalize
Definition: to treat (someone) in a very harsh and usually violent way

The most common sense in which one typically encounters brutalize today is the one which refers to treating a person or thing in a brutal manner. However, the original meaning of the word in English was “to make brutal, unfeeling, or inhuman.” The earliest use of brute in English came in the 15th century, as an adjective, with the meaning “of, relating to, or typical of animals, brutes, or beasts; not possessed of human rational powers.”

As to the conjugal pleasure, and the sport of Venus, the effects thereof are so direful and hurtful, that I wonder men will be such slaves to it; for it doth not onely invalidate and infeeble the vigour of the spirit, but render the mind base and cowardly, dull the vivacity of the understanding, brutalize the judgment, waste the memory, occasion repentance, as saith Aristotle, and as Demosthenes also in this case answered.
—Oliver Jacques, A Discourse of Women, Shewing Their Imperfections Alphabetically, 1662


anecdote
'Anecdote' initially meant “items of unpublished or secret history or biography.”
Anecdote
Definition: a short story about an interesting or funny event or occurrence

The word anecdote may be traced back to the Greek anekdotos, meaning “unpublished.” It came into English in the second half of the 17th century, and initially had the meaning of “items of unpublished or secret history or biography.” When it first appeared, the word was often found used in what is the plural sense of this earlier meaning, anecdota (the current sense is pluralized as anecdotes). This was likely in reference to the title of a work by the Roman historian Procopius (Anekdota), which remained unpublished during his lifetime, as it was rife with scandalous accounts of the doings of Roman officials in Constantinople during the reign of the emperor Justinian, as well as attacks on the emperor himself.

A man disintessed either way, might make a pleasant story of the Anecdota of that Meeting, and manifest how well his Majesties Gracious Declaration, be;fore his return, and his Broad-Seal afterwards were pursued.
—Andrew Marvell, Mr. Smirke, 1676

handsome
When it was originally adopted into English, 'handsome' referred to something easy to handle or maneuver with one's hands.
Handsome
Definition: having a pleasing and usually impressive or dignified appearance

Handsome is so commonly used today to refer to the pleasing physical appearance of a person that it is quite easy to overlook to way the word’s composition speaks of an entirely different early meaning. Beginning in the 15th century handsome was adopted into English with the meaning of “easy to handle or maneuver; suitable for handling.”

And therefore (for mine owne part) I vse in practising therof, to take part with them both, so farre foorth as I find it most handsome for my hand, as thus.
—John Astley, The Art of Riding, 1584

condominium
'Condominium' entered English in the 18th century as a word that meant "joint dominion or sovereignty."
Condominium
Definition: individual ownership of a unit in a multiunit structure (as an apartment building) or on land owned in common (as a town house complex)

Condominiums have been around for over three hundred years now. This does not mean that the founders of our republic were investing in this kind of real estate, for the initial meaning of condominium was something far afield of “boxy, glass-sheathed apartment that costs a lot and does not appreciate as fast as you thought it would.” When it first began to be used in the beginning of the 18th century, condominium meant “joint dominion or sovereignty. It comes from New Latin, which formed the word by combining a prefix meaning “together” with the Latin word for “lordship” (dominium).

There are frequent Instances, that Duke Frederick, the Successor of Duke John Adolph, did acknowledge both by Words and Deed the said Condominium, both in relation to the Civil and Military Administration of the Government.
—J. Crull, Memoirs of Denmark, 1700

sophisticated
This dog is sophisticated: she's cultured and well-traveled and has interesting thoughts about Sorley MacLean. She is not sophisticated in the word's earlier sense of “not in a natural, pure, or original state"; indeed, she was always like this.
Sophisticated
Definition: having or showing a lot of experience and knowledge about the world and about culture, art, literature, etc.

When we think of something or someone that is sophisticated, certain things come to mind: a certain degree of worldliness, or an admirable complexity. What we do not usually think of, however, is something to which the word’s original definition could be applied: “not in a natural, pure, or original state; adulterated.” This early sense of the word began being used in the middle of the 16th century; it was over three hundred years before we began to use it to refer to worldly and educated people.

Diacridium is hoat and dry in the fourth degree, and is pressed out of an herbe to purge with all, the best is shining in substance, and blacke, there is good which is whitish, but mutch is sophisticated with spurge, Colophonie &c. but that is not good….
—William Bullein, Bulleins Bulwarke of Defence Against all Sicknesse, Soareness, and Woundes that do Dayly Assaulte Mankinde, 1562

geek
In the early 20th century, 'geek' was the term given to a carnival or circus performer, especially one whose act entailed biting the head off a live animal.
Geek
Definition: a person who is socially awkward and unpopular : a usually intelligent person who does not fit in with other people

The most common sense of geek that we use today (similar to nerd) is a relative newcomer, with little or no written evidence of its use before the 1950s. However, the word is a bit older than that, and had a couple of meanings that are substantially different. In the early 20th century, geek was the term given to a carnival or circus performer, especially one whose act entailed biting the head off a live animal, such as a chicken or snake. Prior to this, the term existed as a slang word for a person who was regarded as a simpleton, or as foolish.

Harry Thomson. “The Mayor of the Bowery,” who is the main geek when it comes to mirth. One of the best hired men who ever worked in our fun factory.
—(advt) Trenton Evening Times (Trenton, NJ), 30 Apr. 1905

backlog
We're not going to spell this one out for you.
Backlog
Definition: a large number of jobs that are waiting to be finished

Backlog is also one of those words that has an extremely literal earliest sense to it, staring us in the eyes, yet which has become so overshadowed by the word’s current meaning that we miss it. The original meaning of backlog was not the work you avoided doing until it was late enough to ruin your weekend; it was, quite simply, a log in the back of the fireplace or hearth.

The Spit was carried up Chimney, and came down with the point forward, and stuck in the Back-log, and being removed by one of the Company to one side of the Chimney, was by an unseen hand thrown out at Window.
—Increase Mather, An Essay for the Recording of Illustrious Providences, 1684

nostalgia
'Nostalgia' was once considered a disease akin to homesickness.
Nostalgia
Definition: pleasure and sadness that is caused by remembering something from the past and wishing that you could experience it again

Nostalgia, truth be told, has not strayed as far from its original meaning as have many of the words on this list, but it still was used initially in a manner that is quite distinct from the one most often found today. The word can be traced back to a combination of Greek (nostos, “return home”) and New Latin (-algia, “pain”) roots. This etymology makes sense, in light of the initial sense of the word, which was “a severe melancholia caused by protracted absence from home or native place.” Or, if you prefer a shorter definition, “homesickness.”

Desire of being at home....where it is described, and called Nostalgia, and is frequently (he says) treated of by the Helvetian physicians, having been most observ’d in them, who are most abroad of any people; as the Jews, whilst not yet forsaken and quite abandon’d, were more than any people carried captive out of their own land.
—Jonathan Harle, An Historical Essay on the State of Physick in the Old and New Testament, 1729

manipulate
Before 'manipulate' meant "controlling another person through unfair means," it meant “to treat, work, or operate (something) with or as if with the hands or by mechanical means in usually a skillful and precise way.”
Manipulate
Definition: to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage

Manipulate has an etymological connection with words such as manufacture, manage, and manuscript; all of these words contain the Latin word for “hand” (manus) in their origin. Before manipulate meant "controlling another person through unfair means," it meant “to treat, work, or operate (something) with or as if with the hands or by mechanical means in usually a skillful and precise way.”

This sense of manipulate dates to the early 19th century. It should be noted, however, that prior to this there may be found occasional instances of manipulate being used; there does not appear to be any great semantic consistency to these uses, which are sprinkled throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

In vain do you attack me with solliciting Eyes, in vain display your street-walking Charms manipulated by Thousands.
— The revolutions of modesty. To which is added, the reign of pleasure, 1757


scavenger
'Scavenger' initially meant "street cleaner."
Scavenger
Definition: one that scavenges, such as a garbage collector

Scavenger has been in use in English since the beginning of the 16th century. The initial sense that this word had was “a person employed to remove dirt and refuse from the streets of a municipality,” or “street cleaner.” Scavenger was formed as an alteration of the word scavager, which was the term for officers in charge of collecting the scavage (“a duty exacted in 14th, 15th, and 16th century England of nonresident merchants by mayors, sheriffs, or corporations on goods shown for sale”). In addition to collecting this duty, the officers also were responsible for keeping the streets clean.

In like maner where this scauenger sweping the stretes with his bookes (as a fitte brome and officer therto) hais spoken the truth, not trulye (bicause it is for an euil purpose, and frowardly) I shal passe ouer it with silence.
— James Pilkington, The Burnynge of Paules Church, 1563